Altar of Hieron

One of the most representative of the wealth of Syracuse in the third century BC. is the giant altar, probably dedicated to Zeus Eleuterio, built by Hiero II for public sacrifices.

What remains of it is the base section, built into the rock (198 x 22,80), while the highest part was looted, as well as other monuments of the classical age, by the Spanish in the sixteenth century who used the blocks already squared to build up the fortifications of Ortigia.

The sacrificial animals (up to 450) accessed the altar via two ramps that faced north and south, while at the centre there was another raised area where sacrificial fires were lit. On the north ramp, the one closest to the railing on viale Paradiso, you can still see the feet of one of the telamons (the right one) that adorned the entrances.

The vast square in front was enclosed by a large portico (14 columns on the short sides and 64 on the long sides) at the centre of which stood a large fountain with a stand that was thought to be used to support a statue.